Machine for pressing the bottoms of shoes



Oct. 12, 1937. 5. J. FINN 2,095,245

MACHINE FOR PRESSING THEBOTTOMS OF SHOES Filed March 30, 1936 Sheets-Sheet 1 22 226 g l 2%4 8 204 2Z4 1 214 W .222 fi 20 216 194 228 25 54 .wlna 22 g 192 L 20 m 148 124 152 8&4 I F Egg? fi: 60

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Oct. 12, 1937. 5. J. FINN MACHINE FOR PRESSING THE BOTTOMS OF SHOES Filed March so, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 A/I/ A/TU/Z 5 4 FM 02 1 A; M M

Fig.2

Oct. 12, 1937'. J, F N 2,095,245

MACHINE FOR PRESSING THE BOTTOMS O1 SHOES Filed match so, 1936 s Sheets-Shet 5 Figlll. 551 5 Patented Oct. 12, 193"] PATENT OFFICE MACHINE FOR rnnssmo 'rnE'Bo'r'roMs F snons Sidney J. Finn, Beverly, Mass assignor to United Shoe Machinery Corporation, Paterson, N. J., a corporation of New Jersey Application March so, 1936,- Serial a). 71,643 In Great Britain December 19, 1935 55 Claims. (01. 12-51) This invention relates to machines for pressing the bottoms of shoes, and in some important aspects more particularly to machines for applying pressure and heat to the marginal portion of upper materials (hereinafter referred to inclusively as the upper) upon an insole before the outsole is applied to the shoe. The invention is herein illustrated by reference to the manufac: ture of shoes in'which the upper is secured in lasted position around the toe end, preferably although not necessarily by adhesive, and along the sides of the forepart and shank portions by staples driven and anchored in the insole in-the manner disclosed in Letters Patent of the United States No. 1,815,296, granted onJuly 21, 1931, upon an application of George Goddu, although it is to be understood that the invention is not lim ited in utility to the manufacture of shoes in whichthe upper is secured in lasted position bystaples in both those locations. i

In the manufacture of shoes'in which the upper is lastedinwardlyover the insole in generallyparallel relation to the last bottom it has been found to be advantageous to apply pressure and the application of pressure and heat the overlasted margin of 'theupper is compacted closely and firmly upon the insole without any wrinkles or other surface irregularities so that the 'outsole when applied will lie close to that portion of the upper which is adjacent to the edge of the insole. Various features ofthe present invention are to be recognized in a novel organization of means for accomplishing that result. For the purpose in 7 view, the machine herein shown is provided with a plurality of devices for applying pressure and heat to the bottoms of different shoes, each device comprising flexible resilient metal plates shaped to conform substantially to the contour of the upper along the opposite sides of the forepart and shank portions of the shoe bottom to position the shoe when placed initially thereon bottom downward lengthwise in the machine. The flexible shoe-engaging plates are arranged to bend and conform themselves more closely to the contour of the shoe bottom as. the pressure is applied and are movable laterally of the shoe 50 h wiping contact therewith at the opposite sides I the shoe bottom respectively in response to S re kslistance of the shoe to the pressure applied.

' e flexible shoe-engaging plates of each device are reinforced by other flexible resilient metal 55 plates which are shaped to conform to the shoeheat to the overlasted margin of the upper, By

of the shoe bottom lengthwise of the shoe and ar-' 'ranged'by engagement with the overlasted margin engaging plates ,andare backed up by a group of loose elements arranged to adjust themselves in accordance with the contour of the shoe and then to support the metal plates against the pressure of the shoe upon them.

In accordance with another feature of the invention, different pressing devices are so mounted that they may be moved alternately into operating position and means is provided for heating each device prior to its movement into operating. position. In the construction shown, the pressing devices are mounted in pairs for turning movements about an axis extending lengthwise of the shoe so that the pressing devices of each pair may be moved successively from an inverted position into position to operate upon a shoe. Each pair of devices is supported for the pressing operation by a member whichis shaped to conform substantially to the contour of the flexible shoe-engaging plates of each device and means is provided for heating the supporting member so that the shoe-engaging plates of each device are maintained in a heated condition only when each device is in its inverted position, thus insuring against applying excessive heatto the shoe. As illustrated, there is provided means which is controlled by the operator for moving the devices relatively to the heated supportingmember and for rotating them about their axis to reverse their positions for operating upon diflerent shoes.

Various features of the invention are further,

to recognized in novel means for supporting the last and shoe for the pressing operation. In the construction shown, the last and shoe are supported by a shoe rest arranged to engage the forepart of the shoe, and a heel end support for engaging the top of the cone of the last. In orderto hold the shoe effectively against tipping movement laterally, as pressure is applied to its bottom face, the, heel end support includes a last pin arranged to engage the heel end of the last in its spindle hole. As above Su ested, in the construction herein shown, each pressing device whenin operating position is arranged to support a last and shoe placed initially thereon bottom downward, and in order to facilitate the placing of a last and shoe on that pressing device which is in operating position with the last pin engag ing the heel end of the last in its spindle hole,

the heel end support is so mounted as to permit it to be moved freely toward and from the pressing device in directions lengthwise and heightwise of the shoe and also in directions widtliwise of the shoe. As herein shown, the heel end support is mounted on a holder for movements in directicularly described by reference to the accom-.

tions widthwise of the shoe, the holder being connected to a member mounted to rock about an axis extending laterally of the shoe and on which the shoe rest is mounted for adjustment in directions lengthwise and wldthwise of the shoe. 'Ihese connections, in the construction shown, comprise diiierent pairs of links which are pivotally connected to each other and to the opposite sides of the holder and the rocking memher, the links thus permitting the heel end support to be moved from a shoe and last receiving position away from over the pressing devices with a last and shoe as the last and shoe are placed initially on one of the pressing devices with the last pin engaging the heel end of the last in its spindle hole. In the illustrated machine, the pressing devices are moved heightwise of the shoe by power-operated means to apply pressure to its bottom face. As the pressing devices move heightwise of the shoe the rocking member is rocked about its axis by engagement with the holder to move the shoe rest into engagement with the forepart of the shoe, means being provided for thereafter locking the rocking member against further rocking movement in response to the pressure applied to the bottom of the shoe. In the construction shown, the above-mentioned links are held initially by spring means in a.substantially straightened condition in engagement with stops on the rocking member, with the heel end support located in shoe-receiving position, and conveniently there is provided a 'flexible connection between the rocking member and the pressing devices which is arranged to hold the rocking member in a substantially horizontal position, when the pressing devices are in their lowermost position in the machine, with the last pin of the heel end support substantially vertical to receive each last and shoe.

The above and other features of the invention, including various novel details of construction and combinations of parts, will now be more parpanyin'g drawings and pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a view in front elevation of a machine in which the invention is embodied;

Fig. 2 is a view of the machine in right-hand side elevation;

Fig. 3 is a view partly in front'elevation and partly in section on an enlarged scale of one pair of pressing or ironing devices;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the parts shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a section on the. line V-lfof .Fig. 4;

' Fig. 6 is a detail sectional view illustrating the shoe-engaging plates of one of the pressing devices as they appear in relation to a shoe pressed against them;

Fig. 7 is a. view similar to Fig. 5 but with the parts in the positions that they assume after the shoe-engaging plates have completed their inward movements;

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view illustrating the mounting of the holders for the shoe-engaging plates;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a portion of the means for imparting to the shoe-engaging plates their inward movements; 7

Fig. 10 is a view in right-hand side elevation with parts broken away of means for operating the pressing devices; 1

Figs. 11' and 12 are detail views .of the treadle connections for operating the means for rotating the pressing devices;

Fig. 13. is a vertical sectional view of the heater for one pair of pressing devices;

Fig. 14 is a view partly in front elevation and partly in section of the shoe and last supporting means; I

Figs. 15 and 16 are detail views of portions of the structure shown in Fig. 14; and

Fig. 17 is a perspective view of a. shoe as it appears after it has been operated upon by the machine.

This invention is illustrated as applied to a machineorganization which is in many respects similar to that illustrated in Letters Patent of the United States No. 1,549,243, granted August 11, 1925, on an application of E. E. Winkley, although it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to organizations of that particular character. Machines of the type illustrated in said Letters Patent are twin machines comprising two sets of mechanisms whereby one shoe is subjected to pressure simultaneously with the release from pressure of another shoe previously operated upon. Since the two sets are constructed substantially alike except that they are used to operate respectively on right and left shoes the present description will be confined, for the most part, to that set which is at the right-hand side of the machine. The machine is provided with a pair of vertical rods 20 (Figs. 1 and 2) which support adjustably near their upper ends a cross-head 22 to which there is secured a plate 24. Mounted on the plate for sliding movements in directions lengthwise of the shoe is a carrier 26 for a work support or jack which serves to support the shoe against pressure applied on its bottom face. For holding the carrier against sliding movement on the plate 24 there is provided a thumb screw 28 which extends through the carrier and is arranged to engage the plate 24. The jack comprises a shoe rest 30 for engaging the shoe or last at the top of the forepart and a heel end support 32 which engages the top of the cone of the last. ,In order to hold the shoe effectively against tipping movement laterally of the shoe as pressure is applied to its bottom face the heel end support 32 includes a last pin 34 arranged to extend into the spindle hole in the heel end of the last.

Mounted on the rods 20 is a slide 36 to which upward and downward movements are imparted through a link 38 connected at 40 (Figs. 1 and .10) to the slide and other mechanism not herein'shown in detail since it is fully disclosed in the prior Letters Patent above mentioned. Slidably mounted on the rods 20 above the slide 36 is a casting 42 supported by a spring 44 (Fig. 10) which is arranged to yield in response to the resistance of the shoe to pressure applied. At its lower end the spring 44 engages a shoulder 46.

formed withina central recess 48 in the slide 36 and at its upper end the spring engages a shoulder 58 formed within 'a recess in the casting 42 in vertical alinement with the central recess 48. Initially the spring 44 is under slighttension and acts to hold the casting 42 in spaced relation to the slide 36 determined by the engagement of shouldered screws 52, threaded into the slide 36, with links 54 at the lower ends of slots 56 formed in the links, the links 54 being connected at their upper ends to the casting 42 (Figs. 1 and 10). Fast to the casting 42 is a metal block 58 which serves to support shoe bottom pressing or ironing means comprising two ironing devices or units fastened together in diametrically opposed relation by end plates 60 and screws BI and connectbearings I8 (Fig. 1) for a rockshaft I2 fast to the opposite ends ofwhich are arms I4 and I6.

' The arm 14 is connected to the lower end of the bar 66 by means of a short link I8. At the opposite end of the rockshaft I2 the arm I6 is connected by means of a pivot bolt 88 too. downwardly extending link 82 and to a short link 84 pivotally connected to the lower end of the bar 68. The link 82 comprises a telescopic rod83 and a sleeve 85 which is connected by a member 81 (Fig. 12) to a rearwardly extending arm 86 fast to a short laterally extending shaft 88 mounted in suitable bearings in the frame .of the machine andhaving fast to it a treadle 98; Adjustably secured to the sleeve 85 is a collar 89 which is arranged to engage a collar 9I slidingly mounted on the rod 83. A spring 93 surrounds the rod 83 and tends to hold the collar 9I in engagement with a pin 95 (Fig. 11) carried by the rod 83 At its upper end the spring 93 bears against a washer supported by a nut and locknut 9I threaded on the rod 83. The sleeve85 and the collar 89 are slotted to receive the opposite end portions of the pin 95. Depression of the treadle 98 acts through the link 82, arms I4 and I6. and links I8 and 84 to impart upward movement to the bars 66 and 68, this movement of the bars being limited by the engagement of the link- 84 with a portion of the slide 36. The treadle 98 is provided with :a rearwardly extending arm 94,

connected, by means of a member 99 (-Figs. 2 and 12) to a link 96 which is connected at its upper end to a slide 98 vertically movable in a guideway in the slide 36. The link 96 comprises a sleeve I8I fast to the member 99 and a telescopic rod I83 pivotally connected to the slide98. A collar I85 pinned to'the rod I83 is arranged to engage the upper end of the sleeve I8I. :Pivotally connected to the upper end of the slide 98 is an reduced end portion of the trunnion. Projecting upwardly extending arm I88.- Extending between a pin I82 projecting from the slide 98 and a lat erally extending projection I84 on the arm I88 is a spring I86 which, tends to swing the arm'in a direction to hold a pin I88 carried by the arm in engagement; with the upper end of the slide 98. Keyed -to-the trunnion 64 (Fig. 3) is a-plate I I8 which is heldagainst a shoulder 2' on the trunnion by a nut and washer I I4 threaded on a from the plate J l8 are'four pins H6, '(Figs. 2 and 3) which are located apart and are spaced equal distances from the axis of the trunnion 64,

The arm I88 isprovided with teeth II8 which are so spaced as to engage the pins II6 successively and to rotate the plate I I8 and through the trunnion 64 the ironing units inresponse to upward movement of the slide 98 relatively to the bars 66, 68. In order that the ironing units of each set will be moved successively into position to opgagement with the block 58- after which as the link 84 engages a portion of the slide 36 they are turned through by the continued upward engages the slide 36.

Each ironing unit comprises a block I22 (Fig. 3) on which are mounted for movements inwardly over the bottom of the shoe a pair of flexible resilient ironing plates I24 (Fig. 4) which are shaped to conform substantially to the contour of the shoe bottom both lengthwise and widthwise of the shoe and are arranged to extend at the opposite sides .of the shoe substantially from the toe end to the heel end of the shoe. Each ironing plate I24 is connected between its ends by a short link I26(Fig. 4) to .a holder I28 which is provided with slots I38 (Figs. 5, 6, '1 and 8) into which extends the outer edge portion of the plate I24, the holders being cut away,-as shown particularly in Fig; 4, to permit swinging of the links I26 as the plates adjust themselves relatively to their holders in the ironing operation, as

more particularly hereinafter explained, against the resistance of springs I32 which extend at the opposite ends of the plates between pins I34 carried by the plates and pins I36 projecting from the holders. Each holder I28 is provided with tail portions I38 having vertical slots I48 formed therein through which extend the shouldered portions of screws I42 (Figs. 5, 7 and 8) threaded into the block I22. The holders are forced outwardlyby spring-pressed plungers I44 mounted in the block I22, the movement of the holders in this direction being limited by engagement of the holders with washers I46 on the screws I 42.

overlying the plates I24 at one end is a spring clip I48 (Figs. 3 and 4) fastened to the block I22 by a screw I58 and so formed as not to extend over those portions" of the plates that engage the overlaid marginal portion of the upper of a shoe at its toe end. overlying the opposite end por- 7 tion of each plate I24 is a member I52, the members I52 being so spaced as to permit the'plates to engage the bottom of the shoe without interference between the heel end of the shoe and the members I52. The members I52 are fast to amember I54 which is supported by'springs I56 (Fig. 2) seated in the end plate 68 and is provided with a leather pad I58 for engaging the bottom face of the heel end of the shoe. The springs I56 act to hold each member I 54 in shoe-supporting position with the body portions of screws I68 threaded into the end portions of the mem-' her in engagement with uprights I62 fast to the end plate 68 at the upper ends of slots I64 formed erate on a shoe the lateral projection I 84 on the in the uprights It will be unclerstoodthat when pressure is applied to the bottom of a shoe by upward movement of the slide 36 the ironing plates I24 are flexed by the resistance'of the shoe to the pressure applied to conform more closely to the contour of -the shoe bottom. In order to provide for the application of more effective pressure by the plates I24 to the shoe there is arranged between each pair' of plates and its associated block I22 a group of metal balls I66 (Fig. 3) filling a recess I68 in the block and being fenced in above the recess by a plurality of parallel vertical pins I 10 which are slidingly mounted in the block I22, the pins being near enough together to prevent escape of the'balls and having their upper ends normally extending above the group of balls. Supported loosely on the pins I10 between their upper ends and the ironing plates I24 are thin flexible resilient plates I12 which are arranged in superposed contiguous relation and are fastened together at their opposite ends by rivets I14 (Fig. 4) Extending inwardly from one edge of each of the plates I 12 in parallel relation widthwise of the shoe are a plurality of slits I16 which divide the plate into a series of spring fingers I18, the slits in the diiferent plates being staggered so that the fingers of the upper plate overlie the slits in the lower plate. The plates I12 thus not only serve to reinforce the ironing plates I24 but act to prevent escape of theballs between the inner edges of the ironing plates.

The pins I10 are pressed against the plates I12 by springs I80 (PE. 3) which engage enlarged heads I82 on the pins, the plates I12 being curved downwardly at their opposite ends to prevent interference between them and the springs I32., It

will be understood that the plates I12 are shaped to conform to the contour of the ironing plates I24 and that they are held by the spring-pressed pins I10 against the ironing plates which are supported against the upward pressure of the plates I12 at their opposite ends by the spring clip I48 and the members I52. At the opposite sides the plates I12 are arranged to underlie the holders I28 so that initially the holders of that unit which is uppermost in the machine are upheld with the screws I42 engaging the holders at the lower ends of the slots I40 (Figs. and 8) As the ironing units move upwardly to apply,

pressure to the bottom of the shoe, the plates- I24 and I12, in response to the resistance of the shoe to the pressure applied, yield downwardly pressing the pins I downwardly until the balls I66 adjust themselves in accordance with the 0011-.

tour of the shoe. The balls are then fixed relatively to the block I22 by the pressure against them and serve as positive means to prevent any further downward yield of the plates I24 and I12 relatively to the block I22, thus rendering the plates effective to apply increased pressure to the margin of the upper. In order to insure that the balls I66 will completely fill the fenced area defined by the pins I10, the recess I 80 and the plates I12; and thus apply substantially uniform pressure through the plates I12 and I24 to the shoe after they become fixed relatively to the block I 22, the recess I68 in the block is shaped as shown, particularly in Figs. 5 and 7, with a central substantially V-shaped rib I84 which acts to displace the balls outwardly and upwardly toward the upper ends of the pins I10 as the balls adjust themselves to the contour of the shoe in response to the yielding of the plates I24 and I12.

As previously pointed out, the pressing or ironing units of each set are connected by trunnions to bars 66, 68 for turning movements about the axis of the trunnions, that is, an axis extending lengthwise of the shoe and are supported for the pressing or ironing operation by the metal block 58. Preferably the block 58 of each set is shaped to conform to the contour of the ironing plates of that set and preferably also the blocks are heated to maintain the ironing plates of each inverted pressing unit in a heated condition. For heating each block 58 there are provided electrical heating units I86 which extend into the block and fast to the block is a box I88 into which extend electrical conductors I 90 connected with the heating units (Figs. 1 and 3).

It will be understood that when the machine is initially at rest the holders I28 and the ironing plates I24 are held in their outermost positions by the spring-pressed plungers I44. As thus positioned the ironing plates of the uppermost unit of that set which is in itslowermost position in the machine are arranged to receive and support 34 extending into the spindle hole in the last, the

heel end support 32 is mounted for movements in directions lengthwise and heightwise of the shoe and also for movements in directions laterally of the shoe and is held initially in a position away from over the ironing units to receive each last and shoe. After a last and shoe have been mounted .on the heel end support the heel end support is moved with the shoe as the shoe is placed initially on the ironing plates I24, the construction being such that the heel end support is thus freely movable with the last and shoe with the last pin 34 engaging the heel end of the last in its spindle hole.- The shoe rest 30 comprises a leather covered pad I92 of rubber or other suitable material which is hollowed out laterally of the shoe and is mounted on a block I94 adjustably secured to a second block I96 mounted for sliding movements in directions lengthwise of the shoe on a rocking member I98 (Figs. 1 and The member I98 is supported by the depending spaced arms 200 of the carrier 26 on a pin 202 supported by the arms and extending widthwise of the shoe. Pivotally mounted on the block I96 is a springcontrolled latch 204 arranged to engage any one .of a series of recesses 206 formed in the member I98 to hold the member I96 in adjusted position lengthwise of the shoe. Formed on the block I 96 is a dovetail-shaped tongue 208 extending laterally of the shoe and arranged to enter a similarly shaped groove formed in the block I94. The block I94 is held in adjusted position laterally of the shoe on the block I96 by means of set screws 2| 0 carried by the block I94 and arranged to engage the tongue 208, lock nuts 2I2 being provided for holding the set screws in locking engagement with the tongue. It will be readily seen that the above construction permits the shoe rest 30 to be adjusted in directions both lengthwise and widthwise of the shoe, as required for shoes of difierent sizes and styles. The heel end support 32 for engaging the top of the cone of the last is freely movable in directions widthwise of the shoe along guideways formed in a holder 2I4, a screw 2I6 in the holder being provided for limiting such movement of the heel end support relatively to its holder.(Fig. 16). For

tending between the opposite end portions of the pin 222 and an upwardly extending portion 224 of the links 2 I8 are springs 226 which tend to hold the links 2I8 and 228 in a substantially straightened condition with the links 228 in engagement with stop illustrated as pins 228 projecting from the member I98, and with the holder 2! in engagement with the loop-shaped end of a rod 238 projecting from one end of the member I98.

For the convenience of the operator in mounting a shoe and .last on the last pin 34, each rocking member I98 is held, when its associated ironing devices are in their lowermost position in the machine, in a substantially horizontal position with the heel .pin substantially vertical by means of a chain 232. The chain 232 associated with the rocking member at the right-hand side of themachine is connected at its lower end by a spring 234 to a pin 236 projecting from the bar 66. At the left-hand side of the machine the spring 234 is connected to a pin 236 projecting from the bar 68. Each chain .232 extends upwardly and over a pulley 238 mounted on the cross-head 22 and thence downwardly to one end of the pin 222. After a shoe andlast have been moved by the operator into the position indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 14 with -the shoe posi-- tioned properly on the ironing plates I24 of that unit which is in position to operate on the shoe, the shoe and last and the holder 2I4 are moved upwardly, in response to the upward movement of the slide 36, until the top of the forepart of the shoe or last engages the shoe rest 38 and the holder 2 has beenmoved into engagement with an abutment 248 on the rocking member I98. It will be understood that the member I98 may rock more or less about the axis of the pin 282 to move the shoe rest 38 into engagement with the shoe or last; or the abutment 248'into engagement with the holder 2I4, as may be necessary to accommodate lasts of different heights. For locking the member I98 thereafter against further rocking movement the upper edgeportion of this member is formed as a wedge the inclined faces 242 of which are arranged to engage correspondingly inclined faces 244 formed on the carrier 26. For permitting upward movement of the member I98 into locking engagement with the carrier 26 the member I98 is provided with a slot- 246' (Fig. 14) throughwhich the pin 282 extends. Initially the pin 282 engages the rocking member I98 at the upper end of the slot 246 with the wedge-shaped upper portion of the rocking member out of engagement with the carrier. After the member I98 has completed its rocking movement to position the shoe rest 38 and the abutment 248 in engagement with the last or shoe and with the holder 2, respectively, it is moved upwardly with the last and shoe relatively to the carrier 26 until its wedge-shaped upper portion engages the inclined surfaces 244 on the carrier. to the bottom of a shoe by the ironing devices the member I98 is held against further rocking movement by the friction between the inclined surfaces 242 and 244.

It will be understood that in the upward movement of the slide 36 the last and shoe and the holder 2 are first moved into enga' ,ement with the shoe rest 38 and the abutment 248 before any substantial amount of pressure is applied to the bottom of the shoe and that in response to the pressure of theshoe upon them the plates I24 and II.2"are flexed to conform more closely to the contour of the shoe bottom and yield downwardly Thereafter as pressure is appliedv with the pins in man the balls I66 adjust themselves to the contour of the shoe and become fixed relatively to the holder I22. Thereafter in the continued upward movement of the slide 36 the pressure'of the plates I24 on the overlaid marginal portion of the upper is progressively increased as the spring 44 is compressed until an abutment 248 (Fig. 10) on the slide 36 engages an abutment 258 on the casting 42, after which relatively heavy pressure is applied to the shoe through a spring 252 with which machines of the type herein shown are provided as disclosed in the above-mentioned Letters Patent. For imparting to the ironing members I24 their inward movements to iron the overlaid marginal portion of the upper there are mounted in guideways formed in the casting 42 for movements toward or from each other widthwise of the shoe slides 254 (Fig. 9). 2 Each slide 254 is forked tostraddle the rod 28 and the lower faces of the arms 256 of the forked portion of each slide are provided with rack teeth 258 arranged to be engaged by teeth 268 formed on segmental members 262 pivotally connected to the casting 42. Each segmental member 262 is connected by means of an adjustable link 264 to the slide 36. As the spring 44 begins to yield in the upward movement 254 move engage the holders I28 and to move them against the resistance of the spring-pressed plungers I44 toward each, other, are arranged to in directions to'impart bodily inward movements to the ironing members I24 to iron the overlaid margin of the upper along the sides of the forepart and shank portions of the shoe. In order that the ironing members will act on the overlaid margin of the upper around the toe end of theshoe their inner edges are shaped as shown particularly in Fig. 4; those portions of the ironing members that underlie the toe end of'the. shoe having substantially straight inner edges and the inner edges of the members'rearwardly of their toe end engaging portions being cut back more or less to permit the ironing members to adjust themselves relatively to their holders to bring their toe end movements.

It will be evident that by depressing the treadle 98 the ironing units of each set may be rotated when that set is in its lowermost position in the machine to bring one of them into position to operate upon the bottom of a shoe and that while that ironing unit is operating upon the shoe portions together as they complete theirv inward the ironing plates I24 of the other unit of that set are maintained in a heated condition by engagement with the heated block 58. Each set of ironing units is partially counterbalanced by torsion springs 268 which are coiled about the rockshaft I2 and tend to swing the arms I4 and 16 in directions to impart upward movement to the bars 66 and 68, thus rendering it easier for the operator to raise each set of ironing units. It

will be evident also that the telescopic rods 88 and I83 may move upwardly and downwardly wit l the slide 36 relatively to their sleeves 85 and I8 inthe power operation of the machine without imparting any swinging movements to the trea- ,dle 88.

In the operation of the machine for pressing and ironing the bottoms of shoes of the type shown in Fig. 7 in which the marginal portion of the upper is lasted inwardly over an insole in generally parallel relation to the shoe bottom and is secured in lasted position around the toe end, preferably although not necessarily by an adhesive, and along the sides of the forepart and shank portions by staples driven and anchored in the insole in the manner disclosed in Letters Patent of the United States No. 1,815,296, granted on July 21, 1931, upon an application of George Goddu, the operator mounts a last and shoe on the last pin 34 at that side of the machine which is appropriate for the particular shoe whether a right or a left, the last pin being located at that time in a shoe receiving position away from over the ironing units. It will be understood that the shoe rest 30 will have been properly adjusted for the size and style of shoe to be operated upon and that the ironing units will have been rotated by depression of the treadle 90 to bring one of them into position to receive the shoe, the ironing plates I24 of which will'have beenpreviously heated by the block 56. After thus mounting a last and shoe upon the last pin the operator swings the holder 2I4 toward the shoe rest 30 and also moves it heightwise of the shoe to carry the shoe bottom downward into engagement with the ironing unit and then locates the shoe both lengthwise and widthwise in the machine by the complementally shaped ironing plates I24. The

shoe is then in the position indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 14. I

Thereafter the power operation of the machine is started by depression of a treadle 210, whereupon the ironing. units, the casting 42, and the slide 36 are moved upwardly to bring the toe end of the shoe into engagement with the shoe.

rest 30 and the holder 2I4 into engagement with the abutment 240 on the rocking member I98. It will be understood that the member I98 may rock more or less about the axis of the pin 202 until the toe end of the shoe and the holder 2 engage the shoe rest 30 and the abutment 240, respectively, and that by reason of the swinging of the links 2I8 and 220 relatively to one another and to the rocking member I98 the heel end support 32 and last pin 34 will move upwardly with the last and shoe without any tendency to displace the last and shoe from adjusted position on the ironing plates I 24. In the continued upward movement of the slide is locked against further rocking movement by the engagement of its wedge-shaped upper portion with the inclined surfaces 244 on the carrier 26, after which in response to the pressure of the shoe upon them, the ironing plates I24 and the plates I12 yield downwardly, as illustrated in Fig. '7, and also conformthemselves more closely to the contour of the shoe. As the plates I24 and I12 yield downwardly the pins I10 are pressed downwardly until the balls I66 completely fill the area defined by the plates I12, the pins I10 'and the recess I68 in the block I22, and become fixed relatively to the block so as to serve as positive means to transmit pressure from the block I22 to the plates. As the plates I24 of that ironing unit which is in position to operate on a shoe yield downwardly in response to the resistance of the shoe to the pressure applied, the ironing plates of the other lasting unit of that set which are in engagement with the heated block 58 yield upwardly until the balls I66 of that unit become fixedly relatively to their associated block I22.

It will be evident thatasthe plates I24 that are 36,- the member I 98 I22 and to the plates" I24 and I12 the ironing units thereafter act, substantially as rigid mem pressure is applied to the bers through which the bottom of the shoe.

After the balls I66 have become fixed relatively 'to the block I22 with the ironing plates I 24 conformed to the contour of the bottom of the shoe the pressure of the ironing plates on the overlaid marginal portion of the upper is progressively increased through the spring 44 and they are moved bodily inward as the slide 36 moves relatively to the casting 42 to compress the spring 44 and to swing the segmental members 262 in directions to move the slides 254 and plates 266 toward each other, the ironing plates I24 adjusting themselves relatively to each other and to their holders I28 to bring the inner edges of their toe engaging portions together, as shown in Fig. 7. As the ironing plates move inwardly over the shoe bottom they tend to tighten the upper over the bottom face of the insole along the sides of the forepart and shank portions of the shoe as they apply progressively increasing pressure and heat to the marginal portion of the upper to iron it flat upon theinsole and to smooth it free from wrinkles. Thereafter the overlaid marginal portion of the upper all around the forepart, including the margin of the toe end, and along the sides of the shank is subjected to further pressure through the spring 44 and the heavy toggle controlling spring 252, the pressure and heat acting to flatten the overlasted margin of the upper free from objectionable wrinkles and the heat further tending to accelerate the setting of the cement at the toe end. The machine comes automatically to a stop with the shoe under pressure and while the shoe is held under pressure the operator places a last and shoe on that ironing unit which is in position to receive the shoe in the other half of the machine with the mt pin 34 engaging the heel end of the last in its spindle I98 is then unlocked from the carrier 26 and the ironing plates I24 are moved'outwardly by the spring-pressed plungers I44. Since the shoe rests merely by its own weight on the ironing plates at this time there is no danger of displacement of the margin of the upperby the outward" movement of the ironingplates I24. The operator then lifts the last and shoe of! the ironing unit and removes the last and shoe from the spindle 34, the springs 226 and 234 acting then- 'in their .i

to hold the parts of theshQg SHDD I'IJ initial shoe receiving positions;

Having described the invention, what-I as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

.' 1x 1. In a machine for pressing-the bottomsaof.

shoes, the combination with meansfor'supporb ing a shoe against pressure applied'on'its face, of devices for applying compacting pressure along the opposite sides of .the bottomsof different shoes, said devices being mounted for movement alternately into operative relation to said shoe-supporting means.

2. In a machine for pressing the bottoms of shoes, the combination with means for supporting a shoe against pressure-applied on its bottom face, of pressing devices each arranged to receive a shoe placed initially thereon bottom downward and movable upward relatively to said shoe-supporting means to apply compacting pressure along the opposite sides of the bottom of the shoe, said devices being mounted for movement alternately into operating position at the will of the operator.

3. In a machine for pressing the bottoms of shoes, the combination with means for supporting a shoe against pressure applied on its bottom face, of devices arranged to be moved successively into position to cooperate with said shoe-supporting means and each constructed to apply pressure and heat to the opposite marginal portions of the bottom of a shoe, and means for limiting such movement of each device to determine its relationto said shoe-supporting means.

4. In a machine for pressing the bottoms of shoes, the combination with means for supporting a shoe against pressure applied on its bottom face, of a plurality of devices each constructed to apply pressure and heat to the opposite marginal portions of the bottom of a shoe, said devices being movable successively into position to co operate with said shoe-supporting means, and means for heating said .devices.

5. In a machine for pressing the bottoms of shoes, the combination with means for supporting a shoe against pressure applied on its bottom face, of a plurality of devices arranged to be moved alternately into position to cooperate with said shoe-supporting means to apply pressure and heat along the opposite sides of the bottoms of different shoes, and a heater for maintaining each of said'devices in a heatedcpndition prior to its movement into position to operate one shoe.

6. In a machine for pressing the bottoms of shoes, the combination with means for supporting a shoe against pressure applied on its bottom face, of a heater, a plurality of devices each constructed toapply pressure and heat to the bottom of a shoe, said devices being mounted to swing about a common axis, and means for imparting to said devices a swinging movement of predetermined extent to bring one of them into M position to cooperate with said shoe-supportingmeans to press the bottom of a shoe and another one of them into position to be engagedby said heater.

"7. In a machine for pressing the bottoms of shoes, the combination with means for supporting a shoe against pressure applied on its bottom face, of a heater, a pair of devices each constructed to'apply pressure and heat to the bottom of a shoe, saiddevicesbeing mounted to .turn about acommon axis and arranged to lie normally with one of them in position to cooperate with'said shoe-supporting means and the other of them in engagement with said heater, and means under the control of the operator for reversing thepositions of said devices.

8. In a machine for pressing the bottoms of shoes, the combination with means for supporting a shoe against pressure applied on its bottom face, of a'pair'of devices each constructed to..ap--

ply pressure and heat to the bottom of a shoe,

said devices being mounted in opposed relation for turning movements about a common axis and arranged to lie normally with'one of them in position to cooperate with said shoe-supporting means toapply pressure to the bottom of a shoev and the other of them in an inverted position, a heater for engaging each device when it is in a an inverted position, and means for reversing the positions of said devices at the will of the operator.

9. In a machinefor pressing the bottoms of shoes, the combination with means for supporting a shoe against pressure applied on its bottom face, of a pair of devices each constructed to apply pressure to the opposite marginal portions of the bottom of ashoe, said devices being mounted in opposed, relation for movement about acommon axis to bring them alternately into position v shoe to permit them to be moved alternately into position to operate on a shoe.

11. In a machine for pressing the bottoms of shoes, the combination with means for supporting a shoe against pressure applied on its bottom face, of pressing devices each arranged to engage a shoe at the opposite sides of the shoe bottom substantially from its toe end to its heel end, said devices being mounted below said shoe-supporting means to turn about an axis extending lengthwise of the shoe to permit them to be moved alternately. intoposition to operate on a shoe,

means movable by the operator for turning said devices, and means for limiting such movement of each device todetermine its relation to said 45 shoe-supporting means.

12. In a machine for pressing the bottoms of shoes, the combination with means for supporting a shoe against pressure applied on its bottom face and a slide relatively movable in a direction heightwise ofthe shoe, of a pair of devices each arranged to receive a shoe placed initially thereon bottom downward and constructed to apply pressure and heat to the bottom of the shoe in responseto relative movement of said shoe-sup-' porting means and the slide, said devices being movable relatively to the slide about an axis extending lengthwise of the shoe, and means on said slide for engaging one of said devices to determine the relation of the other one of said devices to the shoe-supporting means.

13. In a machine for pressing the bottoms of shoes. the combination with shoe-supporting means and a slide relatively movable ina direction heightwise oi! a shoe, of a pair of pressing devices each arranged'to receive a shoe placed initially thereon bottom downward and constructed to apply pressure and heat to the bottom of shoe in response to relative movement. of the shoe-supporting means and the slide, said devices. being mounted for movement relatively to said shoe-supporting means about an axis extending lengthwise of the shoe, a member on said slide for one of devices to determine the relation 01 the other one of said .de-

vices to the shoe-supporting means, and means for heating said member.

14. In a machine for pressing the bottoms of shoes, the combination with shoe-supporting means, of a slide movable toward said shoe-supporting means, a pair of pressing devices each constructed to apply pressure and heat to the bottom of a shoe, said devices being mounted to turn about an axis extending at right angles to the direction of movement of the slide, a member on the slide arranged to engage one of said devices to determine the relation of the other one of said devices to the shoe-supporting means, means for heating said member, and mechanism movable by the operator to impart turning movements to said devices to reverse their positions for operating upon difierent shoes.

15. In a machine for pressing the bottoms of shoes, the combination with shoe-supporting means, of a slide movable toward and from said shoe-supporting means, a pair of devices mounted for movement relatively to said shoe-supporting means about an axis extending lengthwise of a shoe and each constructed to apply pressure and heat to the bottom of a shoe, a heated member mounted on said slide and arranged by engagement with one of said devices to support them with the other one of said devices in operating position, and mechanism for rotating said devices to move them alternately into operating position at the will of the operator.

16. In a machine for pressing the bottoms of shoes, the combination with means for supporting a shoe against pressure applied on its bottom face, of a'slide movable toward and from said shoe-supporting means, a pair of devices for applying pressure and heat to the bottoms of difierent shoes, said devices being mounted for movement r latively to said shoe-supporting means about an axis extending lengthwise of the shoe, a heated member on said slide arranged by engagement with one of said devices to support them with the other one of said devices in operating position, and treadle-operated mechanism for moving said devices out of engagement with said heated member and for rotating them about said axis to reverse their positions for operating on different shoes.

1'7. In a machine for pressing the bottoms of shoes, the combination with means for supporting a shoe against pressure applied on its bottom face, of a pair of devices for applying pressure and heat to the bottoms of different shoes, each of said devices comprising flexible plates shaped to conform substantially to the lengthwise curvatures of the bottom of a shoe and arranged by engagement with the shoe at the opposite sides of the shoe bottom to position the shoe relatively to said shoe-supporting means lengthwise in the machine, saiddevices being mounted for movements about an axis extending lengthwise of the shoe to permit them to be moved alternately into shoe-supporting position, a slide for effecting relative movement of said devices and the shoe-supporting means to apply pressure to the bottom of a shoe, and a heated member on said slide for engaging the plates of each of said devices when the other one of said devices is-inshoe-supporting position, said member being shaped to conform substantially to the contour of said plates.-

18. In a machine for pressing the bottoms of shoes, the combination with means for supporting a shoe against pressure applied on its bottom face, of means for applying pressure and heat to the bottom of the shoe after lasting but befoi an outsole is'applied to the shoe, said pressir means being mounted to turn about an axis l( cated below the shoe-supporting means from a inverted position into a position to operate on the shoe, a heater for heating said pressing means when it is in its inverted position, a device for lifting said pressing means out of engagement with said heater, a device for turning said pressing means from an inverted position into position to operate on the shoe, and a treadle,

for operatingboth said devices.

19. In a machine for pressing the bottoms of shoes, the combination with means for supporting a shoe against pressure applied on its bottom face, of means for applying pressure and heat to the bottom of the shoe after lasting but before an outsole is applied to the shoe, said pressing means being mounted for movement about an axis extending lengthwise of the shoe from an inverted position into a position to operate on the shoe, a heater for heating said pressing means when it is in its inverted position, a device ,for moving said pressing means out of engagement with said heater, a device for turning said pressing means, and a single member for operating said devices.

20. In a machine for pressing the bottoms of shoes, the combination withv means for supporting a shoe against pressure applied on its bottom face, of a device constructed to apply pressure to the bottom of the shoe, said device being mounted for movement about an axis from an inverted position into position to operate on the shoe, and heating means arranged to heat said device when it is in its inverted position and away from the influence of which heating means the device is carried by its movement into operating position.

21. In a machine for pressing the bottoms of shoes, the combination with means for supporting a shoe against pressure applied on its bottom face, of a device for applying pressure and heat to the bottom of a shoe, said device being mounted for movement about an axis located below said shoe-supporting means and extending lengthwise of the shoe from an inverted position into a position to operate on the shoe, a heater arranged to heat said device when it is in its inverted position, and means for moving said device alternately into operating position and then into engagement with said heater at the will of the operator.

22. In a machine for pressing the bottoms of shoes, the combination with means for supporting a shoe against pressure applied on its bottom face, of a device for applying pressure and heat to the bottom of the shoe, said device being mounted for swinging movement from an inverted position into a position to operate on the shoe, a heater arranged to heat said device and away from which the device is carried by such movement, and means movable by the operator to effect reverse swinging movement of said device.

23. In a machine for pressing the bottoms of shoes, the combination withmeans for supporting a shoe against pressure applied on itsbottom face, of a device for applying pressure /and heat to the bottom of the shoe, said device being mounted to turn from an inverted position into a position to operate on the shoe, means movable by the operator to effect such turning movement of the device, and power means for thereafter effectingrelative movement of said device and the shoe-supporting means to press the shoe.

24. In a machinefor pressing the bottoms of shoesfit e combination with meansfor supporting a sh against pressure applied on its bottom face, of a pressing device arranged to. support a shoe placed initially thereon bottom downward by engagement with the bottom of the shoe along its opposite sides substantially from its toe to its heel end, said device comprising members of flexible resilient metal conformable to the contour of the bottom of the shoe in response to pressure of the shoe upon them, a support for said flexible members movable relatively to said shoe-supporting means ina direction heightwise of the shoe, and 'means also conformable to the contour of the shoe for backing up said flexible members and arranged to transmit pressure positively through said flexible members to the bottom of the shoe.

25. In a machine for pressing the bottoms of shoes, the combination with means for supporting a shoe against pressure applied on its bottom face, of a. pressing device arranged to support a shoe placed initially thereon bottom downward by engagement with the bottom of r the shoe alongits opposite sides substantially from its toe to its heel end, said device comprisshoes, the combination with means for supporting a shoe against pressure applied on its bottom face, of apressing device arranged to support a shoe placed intially thereon bottom downward by engagement with the bottom of the shoe 1 along its opposite, sides substantially from its toe to its heel-end portion, said device comprising flexible resilient plates conformable to the contour of the bottom of the shoe in response to pressure of. the shoe thereon, a support for said flexible plates movable relatively to said shoe-supporting means heightwise of the shoe, a group of loose elements on said support for backing-up said flexible plates, said elements being arranged to adjust themselves to the contour of the shoe and then to support the plates against the pres- ,sure of the shoeuponthem, andmechanism for moving said flexible plates inwardly in wiping engagement with the shoe bottom.

27. In a machine for pressing the bottoms of shoes, the combination with means for supporting a shoe against pressure applied on its bottom face, of a device for .applying pressure and heat to thebottom of the shoe, said device comprising resilient metal plates arranged to'enga'ge the bottom of the shoe along its opposite sides, said plates being conformable to the contour of the bottom,

of the shoe in response to pressure of the shoe upon them, a support for said plates, a group of loose elements backing-up said plates and arranged to adjust themselves to the contour of the shoe andthen to support said plates against the pressure of the shoe thereon, a slide for moving the support heightw ise of the shoe, a spring extending between the support and the slide and yieldable in response to resistance of the shoe to the pressure applied. and mechanism operative in response to the yielding of said spring for imparting to said plates movements inwardlytoward each other in wiping engagement with the bottom of the shoe. I

28. In a machine for pressing the bottoms of shoes, the combination with means for supporting a shoe against pressure applied =on its bottom face, of a device for applying pressure and heat to the bottom of the shoe, said device comprising resilient metal plates arranged to engage the bottom of the shoe along the opposite sides of its forepart and, shank portions and each flexibly conformable to the contour of the shoe in response to pressure of the shoe thereon, a support for said plates movable 'heightwise of the shoe, a group'of metal balls arranged to adjust themselves to the contour of the shoe and thereaftento increase the pressure of said plates on the shoe, and a member yieldingly mounted on said support for engaging the bottom of the shoe at'the heel end.

29. In means for pressing the bottoms of shoes, a device for pressing the bottom of a shoe after lasting but before an outsole is applied to the shoe, said device comprising flexible shoe-engaging plates arranged to engage the overlasted marginal shoe and being mounted for bodily movements inwardly over the bottom of the shoe, and other plates flexibly conformable to the contour of the shoe with said first-named plates for reinforcing them.-

30. In me'ansfor pressing the bottoms of shoes, a device for pressing the bottom of a shoe after lasting but before an outsole is applied to the shoe, said device comprising flexible shoe-engaging plates shaped to conform substantially to the contour of the shoe lengthwise of the shoe and mounted for movements inwardly toward each other to iron the overlasted marginal portion of the upper along the sides of the forepart and shank portions of the shoe, and other flexible plates underlying said first-named plates and each having a plurality of inwardly extending spring fingers for reinforcing said first-named plates.

4 31. A device for pressing the bottoms of shoes, said device comprising shoe-engaging plates arranged to engage the opposite sides of the bottom of a shoe, said plates being flexibly conformable to the contour of the bottom of the shoe in response to pressure of the shoe thereon and being mounted for movement inwardly over the bottom of the shoe, other flexible plates underlying said first-named plates and arranged to extend across the bottom of the shoe, a group of loose elements backing up said last-named plates and arranged to adjust themselves in accordance with the con tour of the shoe and then to support said plates against pressure of the shoe upon them, and a fence confining said group of elements laterally and yieldable in response to the pressure of the I shoe on said shoe-engaging plates.

32. A device for pressin [the bottoms of shoes, said device comprising silient shoe-engaging plates arranged to engage the opposite sides of the bottom of a shoe, said plates being flexibly conformable to the contour of the shoe in response to themselves in accordance with the contour of the shoe and then to support said plates against pressure of the shoe upon them.

33. A device for pressing the bottoms of shoes, said device comprising flexible shoe-engaging plates arranged to engage the opposite sides of the bottom of a shoe, said plates being shaped to conform substantially to the contour of the shoe lengthwise of the shoe and being mounted for movements inwardly over the bottom of the shoe in response to pressure of the shoe thereon, a group of loose elements backing up said lastnamed plates and arranged to adjust themselves in accordance with the contour of the shoe and then to support said plates against pressure of the, shoe upon them, other flexible plates loosely mounted between said first-named plates and said group of loose elements and each having a plurality of inwardly extending spring-fingers for reinforcing said first-named plates, and a fence confining said group of elements laterally and yieldable'in response to the pressure of the shoe on said shoe-engaging plates.

34. A shoe-pressing device having shoe-pressing plates arranged to engage the bottom of a shoe along the opposite sides of its forepart and shank portions, said plates being flexibly conformable to the contour of the shoe and being also mounted for movements inwardly over the bottom of the shoe in response to pressure of the shoe thereon, a group of loose elements arranged to adjust themselves to the contour of the shoe with said plates and thereafter to increase the pressure of the plates on the shoe, a. fence confining said group of elements laterally and yieldable in response to the pressure of the shoe on said shoe-pressing plates, and other flexible plates loosely mounted between said first-named plates and said group of loose elements for transmitting the pressure of said loose elementsto said shoepressing plates.-

35. A device for pressing the bottoms of shoes, said device having metallic shoe-engaging plates at the opposite sides of the shoe bottom, said plates being conformable to the contour of the bottom of the shoe and being also movable inwardly over the shoe bottom, other metallic plates underlying said first-named plates and conformable to the contour of the shoe bottom with said first-named plates for reinforcing them, and

means also conformable to the contour of the shoe for backing up said last-named plates and arranged to transmit pressure through said lastnamed plates to said shoe-engaging plates during their inward movements.

36. A device for ironing the bottoms of shoes, said device comprising flexible plates shaped to conform substantially to the contour of the bottom of a shoe lengthwise of the shoe, said plates being mounted in superposed contiguous relation and each having a plurality of inwardly extending spring fingers, and other flexible pl tes mounted on said first-named plates and sha d sinilarly thereto for engaging the overlaid marginal portion of the upper along the opposite sides of the forepart and shank portions of the shoe, said last-named plates being movable inwardly over the bottom of the shoe'to iron the overlasted margin of the upper and having toeend engaging portions provided with substantially straight inner edges arranged to contact with each other to limit their inward movements.

37. A device for pressing the bottoms of shoes, said device comprising shoe-engaging plates arsupporting said shoe-engaging plates and relatively to which the shoe-engaging plates are movable laterally of the shoe, 8. group of metal balls backing up said last-named plates and arranged to adjust themselves in accordance with the contour of the shoe and then to support said plates against pressure of the shoe upon them, and means acting on said balls to deflect them toward said last-named plates as they adjust themselves to insure that the pressure of said balls on the last-named plates will be substantially uniform.

38. A device for pressing the bottoms of shoes, said device comprising shoe-e plates arranged to engage the opposite sides of the bottom of a shoe, said plates being flexibly conformable to the contour of the bottom of the shoe in response to pressure of the shoe upon them and being movable inwardly over the bottom of the shoe, other flexible plates arranged to extend across the bottom of the-shoe for reinforcing said shoe-engaging plates, a group of metal balls backing'up said last-named plates and arranged to adjust themselves in accordance with the contour of the shoe and then to support said plates against 3 pressure of the shoe upon them, and a support for said metal balls having a central substantially V-shaped rib for deflecting said balls toward said last-named plates in directions laterally of the shoe as the balls adjust themselves in accordance with the contour of the shoe.

39. A device for pressing the bottoms of shoes, said device comprising resilient shoe-engaging plates at the opposite sides of the shoe bottom arranged to bend and conform themselves to the contour of the bottom of the shoe and then to move inwardly over the shoe bottom, a support on which said plates are mounted, a group of metal balls backing up said plates and arranged to adjust themselves to the contour of the shoe in response to the bending of said plates and then to become substantially flxed relatively to one another and to the support by contact with one another and with the support, and means on said support for deflecting said balls in different directions as they adjust themselves to the contour of the shoe to insure that all portions of said shoe-engaging plates will be supported by said metal balls against further bending during their inward movements.

40. A device for ironing the bottoms of shoes, said device comprising resilient ironing plates arrangedto engage the overlasted marginal portion of an upper at the opposite sides of a shoe, said plates being arranged to bend and conform themselves to the contour of the bottom of the shoe in response to pressure of the shoe upon them and then to move inwardly over the shoe bottom in response to further pressureof the shoe thereon, other resilient plates arranged to extend across the bottom of the shoe for reinforcing said ironing plates, said other plates being arranged to bend and conform themselves to the contour of the bottom of the shoe with said iron ing plates, 8. support on which said other plates are mounted, a group of -metal balls backing up said other plates and arranged to adiust themselves to the contour ofthe shoe in response to the bending of said other plates and then to become relatively to one another and to said support to increase the pressure of said ironing plates on the shoe, and a substantially V-shaped rib extending lengthwise of said support for engaging and deflecting said balls outwardly toward the edge portions of said other plates as the balls adjust themselves-to insure that the pressure of the balls on said other plates will be substantially uniform.

41. In a machine for pressing the bottoms of shoes, the combination with means for applying pressure to the bottom of a shoe on a last, of means for supporting the last and shoe for the pressing operation comprising a shoe rest for engaging the forepart of the shoe, and a heel end support including a last pin for engaging the heel end of the last in its spindle hole, said heel end support being mounted for movement in directions both lengthwise and heightwise of the shoe 'stantially from the toe end to the heel end of the shoe, of means for supporting the shoe and last for the pressing operation comprising a shoe rest for engaging the forepart of the shoe, and a heel end support including a last pin for engaging the heel end of the last in its spindle hole,

said heel end support being mounted for movement away from said shoe rest in directions lengthwise and heightwise of the shoe into a shoe-receiving position away from over theheel end engaging portion of said device and-then for reverse movement toward the shoe rest with the last and shoe to present the last and shoe opposite said pressing device and shoe rest.

43. In a machine for pressing the bottoms of 7 shoes, the combination with pressing means arranged to support a last and shoe placed initially thereon, of a shoe rest for engaging the forepart of the shoe, and a heel-end support including a last pin for engag ng the heel end of, the last in its spindle hole, said heel-end support being so mounted as to permit it to be moved toward and from said "pressing means in directions lengthwise and heightwise of the shoe to facilitate the placing of each last and shoe on said pressing means with the last pin engaging each last in its spindle hole.

{14. Ina machine for pressing the bottoms of shoes, the combination with pressing means arranged to support a last and shoe placed initially thereon bottom downward, of a shoe rest for engaging the forepart of the shoe, a heel-end support including a last pin for engaging the heel end of the last inits spindle hole, said heel-end support being so mounted as to permit it to be moved toward and from said pressing means in directions lengthwise and heightwise of the shoe to facilitate the placing of each last and shoe on said pressing means with the last pin engaging the heel end oi each last inits spindle hole; and

means for holding said heel-end support initially in a location away from over said pressing means to receive each last and shoe.

45. In a machine for'pressing shoes, the combination with pressing means arranged to support a last and shoe'placed initially thereon bottom downward, of a shoe rest arranged to engage the Iorepart oi the shoe, -a

heel-end support including a last pin for engagthe of and a member on which the heel-end support is mounted for movements in directions widthwise of the pressing means, saidmember being mounted for movement'with the heel-end support in directions lengthwise and heightwiseof the shoe to facilitate the placing of each last and shoe on said pressing means with the last pin engaging each last in its spindle hole.

'46. In a machine for pressing the bottoms of shoes, the combination with pressing means arranged to receives. shoe and last placed initially thereon, 01. a shoe rest for engaging the forepart of the shoe, a heel-end support including alast pin for engaging the heel end of the last in its spindle hole, a member on'which said shoe rest is mounted, and means connecting the heel-end support to said member for adjustment laterally of said shoe rest and for movement in directions lengthwise and heightwise of the shoe with the last pin engaging the heel end of each last in its spindle hole.-

47. In a machine for pressing the bottoms of shoes, the combination with pressing means arranged to receive a shoe-and last placed initially thereon bottom downward, of a shoe rest for engaging the forepart of the shoe, a heel-end support including a last pin for engaging the heel end of the last in its spindle hole, a member on which said shoe rest is mounted and means connecting the heel-end support to said member for bodily swinging movements relatively to said shoe rest about different axes extending laterally of theshoe and for movements widthwise of the 'shoe to facilitate the placing of each shoe and last on said pressing means with the last pin engaging the heel end of each last in its spindle hole.

. 48. In a machine for pressing the bottoms of shoes, the combination with pressing means arranged to receivea shoe and last placed initially said heel-end support being movable relatively to said shoe rest lengthwise and widthwise of the pressing means by engagement of the last withthe last pin and being movable into shoe-supporting position in response to the heightwise movement of said pressing means.

49. Ina machine for pressing the bottoms of shoes, the combination with pressing means arranged to receive a shoe and last placed initially thereon bottom downward and to move heightwise oi the shoe to apply pressure to the bottom of the shoe, of means for supporting the shoe and last for the pressing operation comprising a shoe rest for engaging the forepart. of the shoe, a heelend support including a last pin for engaging the heel end or the last in its spindle hole, said heel-. end support being adjustable relativelyto said shoe rest lengthwise and widthwise of the pressi means by engagement of the last with the last pin and being movableQwith the last and shoe in the heightwise movement of said pressing means,

ing the heel end oi the last in its spindle hole,

ranged to receive a shoe and last placed initially thereon bottom downward, said pressing means being movable heightwise of the shoe in the pressing operation, of a shoe rest for engaging the forepart of the shoe, a'heel-end support including a heel pin for engaging the heel end of the last in its spindle hole, a member on which said shoe rest is mounted for adjustment in directions lengthwise and widthwise of the shoe, and means connecting the heel-end support to said member for movement in directions lengthwise and heightwise of the shoe to facilitate the mounting of each last and shoe on said pressing means with the heel pin engaging the heel end of each last in its spindle hole and for movement into engagement with said member in the heightwise movement of said pressing means.

51. In a machine for pressing the bottoms of shoes, the combination with pressing means arranged to receive a shoe and last placed initially thereon bottom downward and to move heightwise of the shoe to apply pressure to its bottom face, of a last pin for engaging the heel end of the last in its spindle hole, a holder carrying said last pin and so mounted as to permit it to be swung in directions lengthwise of the shoe and to be moved in directions heightwise and width- Wise of the shoe to facilitate the placing of each last and shoe on the pressing means with the last pin engaging each last in its spindle hole, a member for engaging said holder in the heightwise movement of said pressing means, said member being mounted to swing about an axis extending laterally of the shoe, and a toe rest on said member arranged to be moved into engagement with the forepart of the shoe on said pressing means in response to such swinging movement.

52. In a machine for pressing the bottoms of shoes, the combination with pressing means arranged to receive a shoe and last placed initially thereon bottom downward and to move heightwise of the shoe to apply pressure to its bottom face, of a last-pin for engaging the heel end of the last in its spindle hole, a holder carrying said last pin and so mounted as to permit it to be moved in directions lengthwise and heightwise of the shoe to facilitate the placing of each last and shoe on the pressing means with the last pin engaging each last in its spindle hole, a member for engaging said holder in the heightwise movement of said pressing means, said member being mounted to swing about an axis extending laterally of the shoe, a toe rest on said member for engaging the forepart of the shoe on said pressing means in response to such swinging movement, and means for locking said member against further swinging movement as pressure is applied to the bottom of the shoe by said pressing means.

53. In a machine for pressing the bottoms of shoes, the combination with pressing means arranged to support a last and shoe placed initially thereon bottom downward, of a shoe rest for engaging the forepart of the shoe, 9. heel-end sup.- port including a last pin for engaging the heel end of the last in its spindle hole, a member on which said shoe rest is mounted, a holder for said heel-end support, and connections between the holder and said member arranged to permit movement of said heel-end support relatively to said shoe rest in directions lengthwise anclheightwise of the shoe with each last and shoe as they are placed initially on the pressing means, said connections comprising links pivotally connected to said holder, and other links pivotally connected to said first-named linksand to said member.

54. In a machine for pressing the bottoms of shoes, the combination with pressing means arranged to support a last and shoe-placed initially thereon bottom downward, oi. a shoe rest, a heel end support including a last pin for engaging the heel end of the last in its spindle hole, a member on which said shoe rest is mounted, a holder for said heel-end support, connections between the holder and said member arranged to permit movement of said heel-end support relatively to said shoe. rest in directions lengthwise and heightwise of the shoe, said connections comprising links pivotally connected 'to said holder, other links pivotally connected to said first-named links and to said member, spring means tending normally to swing said links into a straightened condition, and means for limiting such swinging movements of the links with the last pin of the heel-end support in a substantially vertical position. it

55. In a machine r pressing the-bottoms of shoes, the combination with pressing means arranged to support a last and shoe placed initially thereon bottom downward, of a shoe rest arranged to engage the forepart of the shoe, a rocking member on which said shoe rest is mounted, a heel-end support including a last pin for engaging the heel end of the last in its spindle hole, a holder for said heel-end support, connections between the holder and said rocking member comprising different pairs of links pivotally connected to the opposite sides of the holder and said rocking member, the links of each pair being also pivotally connected to each other, spring means tending to swing said links into a substantially straightened condition, a pair of stops for limiting such swinging movement of the links with the heel-end support in a shoe and last receiving position away from over the pressing means, and a flexible connection between the pressing means and said rocking member arranged to hold said rocking member normally in a substantially horizontal position with the last pin of said heel-end support substantially vertical.

SIDNEY J. FINN. 

